2030 A.D

Anyone who's read for a while will know I have a disposition towards tech, but more recently I've been submerging myself in my faveourite aesthetic of all time, Cyberpunk. It's not quite as nerdy as Steampunk, and with better books and movies. Ever watched Blade Runner and dug the hell out of the setting? Cyberpunk may just be the ticket for you, here's a playlist I've been curating for tunes that fit into this category, check 'em out while you go hacking or whatever it is Cyberpunks do these days.



-Claude Van Foxbat

All About the Bass

One of the biggest things I'm ashamed of is that I haven't been paying close attention to the imprint Night Slugs. I've unfortunately only heard select tracks from label head DJ Bok Bok and the stellar debut album from Kelela. I really need to dive deeper because everything I've heard from this crew has been unbelievable. Take for example this stellar cut from Jam City. The track Aqua  Box from the Waterworx EP is a great introduction to the Night Slugs sound. Huge basslines and distant sirens create a hazy and dense atmosphere.

One of the most curious signings recently was Chicago footwork artist DJ Slugo being signed to Nicolas Jaar's Other People imprint. We discussed the imprint before here on ilictronix and reading that makes this signing even more curious. Where much of Other People was Microhouse, DJ Slugo is all about maximalism. More really is more on his Ghetto House bass behemoths. Taking the best elements of Booty Bass, Detroit Juke and footwork, track I Ain't Yo Baby Daddy was heavy on my rotation this week. An infectious vocal sample *I Ain't Yo Baby Daddy* is somehow both dizzying and dazzling.

Remember when Evian Christ wasn't working with Kanye or making huge trap bangers? Yeah me either until I relistened to his Kings and Them mixtape. Lean sounding MYD is a bonafide hustlers anthem. Even though fuzzy reverb soaked R&B is becoming a parody of itself its nice to hear songs like this that remind you why this style grew so fast in the first place.

evian christ · MYD

Next we have a somewhat rare mix from our good friend ARCA. His work on the new Bjork album and the Sheep Mix he presented at this years HBA fashion show sets this promising producer up for a unforgettable year. This is not the first time he has worked with the framed streetware company though. Back in 2012 he did a mix with Fader for MOMA PS1 and remixed some tracks on a Hood By Air mixtape. This whole mix is stellar but the moneyshot is the remix of Ocean Gang, which features a syrupy chopped sample of Beamer, Benz, or Bently. 

-Adam 

New Music Needed

In a weird funk at the minute where i spend like 80% of my time skipping songs. Whoda thought that you could eventually get tired of 10k+ tracks? I suppose I should start hunting the albums I've been meaning to but for now here are the few that escape the skip button.

Pam Glew -To Live And Be Loved (2014)

Oddly enough one of the tracks escaping this culling is one I've heard thousands of time since I fist got my mitts on it in '07. Still a class example of what dubstep used to be, and by far one of the better remixes out there.



Moderat's second LP has also escaped this, I can't bring myself to skip this one once I hear the intro. I wasn't too hot on most of the debut aside from the big tracks like A New Error and that, but after hearing the snippet of it on the promo for the album I was hyped and the full thing is even better.



Similarly a tune I've had since '03 gave my subwoofer some bother on this cold English morning. Try as I might I can never hate one of the songs that showed me both Felix Da Housecat, Miss Kittin and Electroclash as a whole. Hell I'd even go so far as to say the whole album has a special place in my collection. Thankfully I re-ripped it in 320 when I got a new disc drive many years back, so you don't have to deal with the 128kbps copy I had to deal with for years.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Because You're Freeeeeeeeee

I am done for two weeks, so have a break form words and have some sngs instead yo. Tunes after the art as per us'.

Jim Dine -Four Hearts (1969)

More housy goodness from Stench's Philestine alias, after having hear the preview for this one for so long it's ice to hear it in its full glory. That main synth line is straight from the locally produced house tunes I used to listen to in the early 00's with that modern garage spin on things, it's sick.



As you all well know, I looked back into stuff I listened to circa the early 00's again not too long ago, there I fell in love all over again and found a new addition to my list of favourite house producers A:xus it seems is criminally underrated, which is a shame because he's still making stuff that gives me that feeling the early 00's house did. This one came out in '09 but I'll be damned if that soulful house combo isn't just timeless, I absolutely adore this one.



Speaking of classic house now would be a good time to revive by far the most famous and hardest to find of Felix's remixes; the Heavenly House version of Sinnerman. Shot to fame again not too long back after HTC used it in an ad campaign, while an odd choice given it's house and all I can't fault hem for it, it's a quality tune to this day.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Pre-Hand In Post

Hand in of my dissertation tomorrow for like 30% of my degree or something. Good news for you lot, cos you don't have to hear me moan about it no more, and I get more free time to lavish you with audio. So here we go with some old favourites.

Sigmar Polke -B-Mode (1987)

Long time music bud of mine Nightmares On Wax with perhaps the shortest tune he's ever done. Clocking in at just under a minute I have to loop it every time it comes up because it's just so sweet. Check out the full album, Smokers Delight for more of this vibe.



Before I go diving more into UNKLE's discogs I've been revisitng the debut LP and more importantly the tune that got me to revisit them in the first place. Enjoy the brilliance of when DJ Shadow & James Lavelle give trip hop a go.



Speaking of revisiting stuff, MTB's been back in my rotation after a lengthy absence. First heard her on Tricky's debut LP Maxinquaye before deciding to look into her other work after her guest bit on All Alone from Gorillaz's Demon Days. A real treat and really underrated, here's my favourite of hers.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Weekend Waitin'

So my Dissertation is pretty much ready to be handed in. I was gonna pop in today to double check and see about handing in my actual work too but Uni is closes early on Saturday and isn't open Sunday so I'm stuck until Monday. While I'm here I might as well knock up a post then.

Tom Wesselmann -The Smoker (1971)

I'm in need of more stuff in my collection, shuffle doesn't seem to be cutting it as much these days but it occasionally serves up summing good. Case in point: the Pretty Lights I have tucked away in my libary that harldy comes up. Taking Up Your Precious Time is the better album, but the follow up, Filling Up The City Skies has it's own moments too.



Another bit from the FlyLo demo tapes floating around the net. A much more conventional side to Lotus you may not have heard before, even at this early stage you can tell he's got good production chops. It's just a shame it's a little short, I'd love to see more of the half baked ideas FlyLo has on his hard drive.



Digging Mr. Scruff out for some listening rotation since my last post was a good move, after being away for so long I'd forgotten he has some solid tracks in there. Falling in love with this one all over again right about now.



-Claude Van Foxbat

Wednesday Workin'

Hello all, just got feedback on my final draft of my dissertation and by all accounts it's going alreet. So with that gap in my schedule I'm gonna lay down some audio music for you all to enjoy.

Dabs Myla - Sunshine Dreams And Super Constellations

First tune here is decidedly non-electronic but it's been repeating on me all week and we do like to break the electronic mold occasionally here on ilictronix. So have some laid back Japanese indie courtesy of The Pillows



Recent listening has also seen a return to the more jazzy side of things, and 'Pusher is a go-to guy for that. The opening couple of tracks on Hard Normal Daddy are still jut as sweet as the first listen, get a load of 'Pushers bass work on this one.



Can't mention Jazzy beats without giving a nod to Mr. Scruff. When I picked up the re-issue of his debut (the cleverly titled Mrs. Cruff) I almost blew my setup with this one, that bassline is deadly. Check him out if you're looking for more vibes like this one.



-Claude Van Foxbat

My God, It's Full Of Stench

Hello and welcome to 2015! We got a special dealio for you right now, as you probably already know I am a staunch supporter of all things Stenchman, and when the man said he was gearing up for his traditional Christmas LP I was hyped to say the least. I got my hands on it a little later than expected but oh boy was it worth it. Tracks and words after the art!

Now Stench's annual compilations have been just that, compilations of his tunes. So when he said he was structuring this one like an actual album on twitter I was very interested. And it most definitely works, you don't have to be a complete Stench Stan like me to get an idea of the man's sound with this menacing intro:



For the first full length we get even more of the man's vibe on show. Don't let that chilled vibe in the intro throw you off, this is still a tune from a guy who has tracks with names like Vagitarian Meal and it's not long before that becomes clear. So far the album is living up to it's title, it's wobbled my shelves plenty already.



Another tune that's been on his soundcloud for some time now, When God Puts His Arms Around You is a solid example of why I keep my eye on Stench's output. Not one to fall into the trap of Brostep, alawys keeping it fresh, dark and interesting. Sounds a little bit like the stuff he's making under the Philestine alias at the moment.



Speaking of, there's some awesome stuff under that moniker on here too. I've been dying to get more of the Philestine stuff in my collection and this LP does not disappoint. The tracks are an amazing hybrid of Stench's dubstep and eye for samples mixed with a house vibe and I love every second of it.



And when it comes to tackling new genres I'm loving every little thing Stenchman does. I posted his Hip Hop previews a while back, but aside from a couple on the free EPs and LPs he puts out I don't actually have any. Until now at least. I am loving this instrumental to bits.



Not to say there's no Dubstep on here though, another one I had long forgotten about on the depths of soundcloud gets an official release. My Dubstep Funeral is a suitably somber but solid track that exhibits Stenchman's dub production chops very well indeed.



Going to skip some tracks here otherwise I'll be here all day. Moving into more upbeat territory we have The Lithopede, he's dabbled in Drum & Bass a little before and this tune is anoter installmen of that. The bassy sounds Stench uses gel really well with a faster tempo so it's nice to see a return to the style. Definitely one of the faster tracks on here.



And I'll leave you all with the final track that I think we glimpsed in the Hip Hop Previews I mentioned earlier. Another case of a excellently picked sample for sure, I don't think I've ever heard a hip hop song I'd call unsettling but Stenchman has shown me something surprising once again, and I love it.



So there you have it, another insight into the beautifully twisted world of Stenchman. Do the man a favour and get your mitts on this album when it drops on the 9th of January, it'll be up on his bandcamp for a choose your own price sale, so you can nab it for free if you so desire. He deserves a few quid though for all the free stuff he's given us over the years.

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